Nursing in Practice launches ‘How Nurses Count’ campaign

Last week we finally heard about the NHS 10 year health plan – kickstarting fundamental change across the health service. The plan mentioned nurses repeatedly. New opportunities were promised for nurses, in new neighbourhood services and leadership roles in a genomic population health service, alongside plans to bring care out of hospital and into the community.

But we know from speaking to nurses across primary care that the nursing role is just not valued enough. There is a worry that their clinical expertise is not being used to the full, particularly in general practice, and that their voice isn’t being heard as part of the growing multidisciplinary team. As the ARRS role expands and new roles move into general practice such as clinical pharmacists, some nurses argue that their role is being diluted.

At Nursing in Practice, we have a strong track record in championing the role of nurses in general practice, community and across primary care. Earlier this year we looked at general practice nurse pay, and our GPN Manifesto shared practice nursing priorities for the new government.

Now we are moving our attention to championing the work of nurses and today are launching a new campaign to shine a light on How Nurses Count.

The nursing contribution counts for a lot. We all need to make sure that the work of nurses in a rapidly changing health service is fully recognised, understood, and given the resources and consideration needed.

The How Nurses Count campaign will seek out good examples of the impact of nurses in general practice, whether that is in patient consultations, clinics, team meetings, as clinicians, leaders, advocates for patients, prescribers, problem-solvers, and more.

We will work with you to highlight the essential role you have. We want to remind NHS leaders, that not giving nurses the opportunities and support they need would be a dangerous direction to take.

Who is looking out for nurses in primary care? How Nurses Count will highlight the essential clinical role of nurses and the difference that you make, every day, whether that’s in patient care, prevention, rationalising medicines use, focusing on QOF, or working with the practice team to streamline operations, and we will highlight the economic contribution of nurses, too.

The project will run for the rest of the year, with a range of case studies, thought leadership pieces, analyses, and a strong focus on the clinical expertise of the nurse in primary care.

Complete the survey

The first step to be involved in for How Nurses Count is the launch of a Nursing in Practice survey, focusing on what the responsibilities of the general practice nurse are, showing the importance of the role and making a case for how vital the profession is.

We want responses from as many people as possible so please fill in the survey today.

Here is a direct link to the survey, and more information, including the chance to win £1,000.

Tell us about the work you are doing

Please do also get in touch if you are a nurse in general practice or community with something to share to add to this campaign.

Perhaps you are a nurse leader who would like to talk about an aspect of the work you’ve pioneered, or want to share what your colleagues are achieving on behalf of a nursing team?  We look forward to finding out more (please email: [email protected]).

There are so many important ways that ‘nurses count’ and we can’t wait to share this message as widely as we can.

Carolyn Scott, editor, Nursing in Practice